Spring is moving forward with the hints of may flowers and spring showers engulfing much of the U.S. Now that Easter is in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to take stock of any e-cigarette legislative proposals circulating in state houses around the nation.
From Sacramento to Albany and Spokane to Richmond, various state capitals are considering some measures to either regulate or outright restrict electronic cigarettes and e-smoking.
As we said in our last update, some of the regulatory proposals are sensible. Arizona and Colorado have passed measures stipulating e-cigarettes are only legally available to committed tobacco users over the age of 18.
Other more sweeping proposals in California and New York have suggested bans on the sale of electronic cigarettes but none have become law or appear to be close this legislative year. Some state lawmakers who introduced these types of bills last year are either no longer in office or not pursuing the issue – at this time anyway.
Some localities though have placed restrictions on electronic cigarettes. King County, Washington banned e-smoking in public places and the city of Spokane has placed restrictions on advertising.
College campuses and hospitals around the country have also passed smoking/tobacco bans on campus. Some of these ordinances do include e-cigarettes.
Way down south, Savannah, Georgia has banned smoking in public places…this ban and many others like it unfortunately include e-cigarettes, unfairly in our opinion of course.
Full bans though only seem to be occurring in isolated municipalities and campuses around the U.S.
If you’ve been enjoying the art of e-smoking and grown accustomed to inhaling nicotine infused liquid that’s heated into a vapor, take a moment and see what’s happening in your state or hometown.
If any legislators are proposing draconian restrictions in your area, we urge you to contact your elected representatives and relevant committee members today and urge them to not restrict the rights of consenting adults to enjoy a less expensive alternative to regular cigarettes.
Unfortunately, electronic cigarettes and e-smoking come with a lot of misconceptions. Through education and patience, we hope state lawmakers and even the federal regulatory authorities will come to see electronic cigarettes for what they are – alternatives to traditional cigarettes.
Tags: legislation, smoke anywhere